G.ZEEP%MIT-EECS@MIT-MC.ARPA (06/12/84)
From: Wang Zeep <G.ZEEP%MIT-EECS@MIT-MC.ARPA> There is no second law of thermodynamics. There is, however, a postulate that something like entropy exists (with a long list of properties) and another postulate that it tends to reach a maximum with respect to unconstrained variables. This 1st, 2nd, 3rd "law" stuff is strictly 19th century (well, part of the 20th). Read Laszlo Tisza, "Generalized Thermodynamics" or Herbert Callen, "Thermody- namics". Summary: They aren't laws, just postulates. (and they have been verified to break down with very large or very small systems.) 'Nuff said, Wang -------